As of 8:30 PM MDT last night the Last Chance Fire was 70% contained. It has burned 53,342 acres so far. For additional information on this and other fires in the state please visit this web site- New Mexico Fire Information.

Here we go again. Our forecast high temperatures here in the Pecos Valley today range from 96 in Hobbs, 98 at Roswell and Artesia, to 99 at Carlsbad. New daily record high temperature records may be established over the area today. Today's highs will be about ten degrees above normal.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for Eddy, Chaves, and Lea Counties today. Hot, dry, down slopping southwesterly winds will kick up around midday at sustained speeds of around 30-40 mph with gusts this afternoon near 55 mph.

A High Wind Warning is in effect through Saturday night at midnight for the Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County and Culberson County of Texas. Southwesterly-westerly winds are forecast to be sustained at around 30-50 mph with gusts up to around 65 mph.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for Lincoln County today. Southwesterly to westerly winds are forecast to be sustained at around 35-45 mph with gusts up to around 60-65 mph.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect for the entire area today. Extremely Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are forecast area-wide today. Any wildfire that may break out will have the potential to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds and extremely dry conditions. Please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame.

A strong cold front is forecast to move into SE NM on Sunday. Much colder temperatures will accompany its passage. Our forecast high temps for Sunday and Monday range from the upper 50's to low 60's. By Tuesday morning our low temps may be dipping as low as the mid 30's, with a few spots possibly experiencing a light freeze. Yep, its spring all right.

Last night KOB Eyewitness News Channel 4 out of Albuquerque carried a news story and the drought conditions, and the high fire danger in the Artesia area. It was a good story (New Mexico drought at record levels in southeast) up until the part about the rainfall stats in Artesia and Carlsbad. I am not disputing the fact that we are in a serious drought, just the stretch of rainless days that was reported by this network.

The reporter stated that Carlsbad hasn't received any measurable rainfall since Oct 21, 2010, or 0 for the past 189 days. He also stated that Artesia hasn't received measurable rainfall for the past 119 days and Roswell for the past 81 days. The rainfall information is wrong. This is the second news media outlet to make such statements in the past couple of weeks. Come on guys try doing a little research before posting this stuff.

Here Are The Correct Rainfall Totals-

Roswell Climate-

Oct 2010 1.02"

Nov 2010 .00"

Dec 2010 .02"

Jan 2011 .00"

Feb 2011 .21"

Mar 2011 .00"

Apr 2011 .00" (As of 4-28-2011)

Roswell Airport-

Oct 2010 1.02"

Nov 2010 .00"

Dec 2010 .00"

Jan 2011 .00"

Feb 2011 .09"

Mar 2011 .00"

Apr 2011 .00" (As of 4-28-2011)

Artesia Climate Coop Station-

Oct 2010 .06"

Nov 2010 .00"

Dec 2010 .04"

Jan 2011 .00"

Feb 2011 .18"

Mar 2011 .00"

Apr 2011 .00" (As of 4-28-2011)

Carlsbad Climate Coop Station-

Oct 2010 .10"

Nov 2010 .00"

Dec 2010 .01"

Jan 2011 .00"

Feb 2011 .43"

Mar 2011 .00"

Apr 2011 .00" (As of 4-28-2011)

Carlsbad Airport-

Oct 2010 .09"

Nov 2010 .00"

Dec 2010 .00"

Jan 2011 .00"

Feb 2011 T

Mar 2011 .00"

Apr 2011 .00" (As of 4-28-2011)

*Note: I think that the rainfall total for February at the Carlsbad Airport is incorrect. The .00" total listed does not match the other nearby reports in the Carlsbad area, including the Climate Coop Station, which is located just a little ways east of the Airport.

Compare the National Weather Service Climate Cooperative rainfall reports with these volunteer reports in Chaves, Eddy, and Lea Counties and you will see that the two are fairly evenly matched. This Network also gives a more widespread view of the rainfall patterns locally. If you keep track of your rainfall then you may want to think about joining this group.